Gold Bond Ice Cream

Thomas Lutsey worked hard on the family farm as a youngster. In 1933, he began processing milk on the farm for distribution in the city of Green Bay. The milk operation, called the Jersey Dairy, moved to Green Bay in 1938. Fascinated by a new idea, Mr. Lutsey decided to make ice cream and began selling it on the same routes with the milk. The idea evolved to slice quarts of ice cream into tenths, insert sticks, dip the squares into chocolate, and roll them in nuts. The item became popular at fairs in the Green Bay area where they were sold as "paddle pops."

By 1946, Mr. Lutsey had established Gold Bond Ice Cream and the transition was made from bottling milk to producing only ice cream and novelties. The popularity of this product on a stick prompted him to ask the question of how to make it faster. Seeing other operations, Mr. Lutsey soon built what was then called a brine tank production line of ice cream bars and water ice pieces. The emphasis shifted from ice cream to novelties. Eventually, this antiquated machine was phased out and increased mechanization helped to spawn considerable growth for the company. Also, in 1946 a strong partnership was formed when Sylvester Daanen bought into the company. Mr. Daanen handled the office and sales area, while Mr. Lutsey was in charge of manufacturing and shipping. Mr. Daanen died in June of 1967.

Subject ID: 15228

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Thomas Lutsey worked hard on the family farm as a youngster. In 1933, he began processing milk on the farm for distribution in the city of Green Bay. The milk operation, called the Jersey Dairy, moved to Green Bay in 1938. Fascinated by a new idea, Mr. Lutsey decided to make ice cream and began selling it on the same routes with the milk. The idea evolved to slice quarts of ice cream into tenths, insert sticks, dip the squares into chocolate, and roll them in nuts. The item became popular at fairs in the Green Bay area where they were sold as "paddle pops."

By 1946, Mr. Lutsey had established Gold Bond Ice Cream and the transition was made from bottling milk to producing only ice cream and novelties. The popularity of this product on a stick prompted him to ask the question of how to make it faster. Seeing other operations, Mr. Lutsey soon built what was then called a brine tank production line of ice cream bars and water ice pieces. The emphasis shifted from ice cream to novelties. Eventually, this antiquated machine was phased out and increased mechanization helped to spawn considerable growth for the company. Also, in 1946 a strong partnership was formed when Sylvester Daanen bought into the company. Mr. Daanen handled the office and sales area, while Mr. Lutsey was in charge of manufacturing and shipping. Mr. Daanen died in June of 1967.

Today, Gold Bond novelties are available in over 40 states, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, and Canada.

In 1961, Good Humor was acquired by Thomas J. Lipton, the U.S. subsidiary of the international Unilever conglomerate. Profits declined when the baby boomers aged and costs increased because of labor issues, gasoline, and insurance. The company sold its fleet in 1978 but continued to distribute its products through grocery stores and independent street vendors. By 1984, Good Humor returned to profitability. Starting in 1989, Unilever expanded Good Humor through its acquisition of Gold Bond Ice Cream that included the Popsicle brand. Four years later, Unilever bought Isaly Klondike and the Breyers Ice Cream Company. As a result, Good Humor-Breyers is now a large producer of branded ice cream and frozen novelties, as part of the Unilever Heartbrand.

Subject ID: 15228

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